|
Watch for an Entirely New System of Surveys and
Graphs at PetGroomer.com in May 2009
More Frequent Results!
PetGroomer.com received more than
8,200 completed grooming price-related surveys from
the period April 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009.
The survey was separated into 2 groups, one
dedicated to mobile grooming business owners, and
the other for all other grooming business owners.
Separating the surveys was done to improve accuracy.
Generally, mobile groomers charge higher fees for
equivalent grooming services performed by non-mobile
groomers in order to compensate for the added costs
incurred by providing the convenience of onsite
grooming.
Survey results for actual prices charged were
separated by U.S. Census Bureau regions in which the
grooming business owners do business. Similar to the
2007 Report, this
year’s report for 2008 includes
comparison figures taken from the 2007 pricing
surveys.
Your grooming fees may vary from those shown here.
The figures provided here represent averages. In
every category shown here we received both higher
and lower quotes by groomers, and again what you
read here are averages. On average the highest fees
reported were 26% higher than the averages shown.
If you are a grooming business owner, please be sure
to complete a 2009 grooming price survey, as well as
other appropriate surveys before December 31, 2009.
Survey will be available May 1, 2009. Thank you.
Profile of
Groomers Taking the Surveys
Where the Groomers Are
Groomers surveyed represented all U.S. Census
regions for the 50 states. Approximately 38% of
surveys were completed by groomers in the Middle
Atlantic states (NY, PA, NJ) and Pacific states (AK,
HI, CA, OR, WA). Following closely behind the
Pacific region was the East North Central states
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI). These 3 regions have always
performed strongly in PetGroomer.com surveys.
Three regions continue to dominate the highest
average grooming prices. They are 1) New England, 2)
Middle Atlantic and 3) Pacific. The region with the
highest average increase from 2007 to 2008 was
"paws-down" the Pacific, especially for mobile
grooming. That could perhaps be explained by gas and
other energy prices which were among the nation's
highest during 2008 continually.
Mobile Groomers
In 2008 mobile groomers participating in the mobile
pricing group grew significantly. Approximately
1,052 mobile grooming business
owners completed the pricing surveys during 2008.
Nearly 291 of them represented the Middle
Atlantic states (NY, PA, NJ). Compared to prior year
surveys the Pacific region posted the highest
increase in participation, but not enough to
overtake the popularity of the Middle Atlantic
states.
In 2006, 35% (the largest group) of mobile groomers
surveyed valued their “add-on convenience fee”
worked into their pricing system at $10.00 to
$15.00. In 2007 there was a somewhat dramatic
increase in the valuation of this fee. A dominating
40% valued the fee at $15.01 to $20.00 and another
35% reported $20.01 to $25.00. In 2008, the trend
continued. when 38% reported $20.01 to $25.00 but
the over $25.00 category grew in 2008 as well.
Perhaps the best explanation for the increase was
the price of gasoline and vehicle maintenance. More
than ever before, 61%
of mobile groomers indicated that gas and
maintenance was the leading operating cost
encouraging them to raise prices. Just as in 2007
results, the next closest
operating expense encouraging price fee increases
was grooming supplies with 19% reporting.
Once again mobile groomers heartily disfavored discounts.
A dominating 70% stated they did not discount their
prices. If pet owners are looking for a discount
they should choose a non-mobile groomer. Only 29% of
them taking the survey never use discounts.
Future Price Increases
Clearly in 2008 there was some worry about
increasing prices in 2009. Those planning increases
in the following year (2009) dropped by over 20%
while increases planned for 2010 grew.
The minority of groomers advertising their grooming
prices fell even more, to as little as 2% of mobile
groomers and 9% of non-mobile groomers.
What’s Not in Favor?
• Charging by the hour is more popular with mobile
groomers (11%, but down 5% from 2007 results).
Non-mobile groomers charging by the hour fell to 4%,
down 1% from 2007).
• One price grooming (with some allowance for
exceptions) is still overwhelmingly out of favor
with mobile groomers and non-mobile groomers.
• Price sheet handouts are becoming even more
scarce.
• Being "the most expensive in your area" continues
to be out of favor, but not as much as being the
"low price leader."
|
Which
region (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau)
are you located in? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
New England |
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
8% |
12% |
|
Middle Atlantic |
(NY, PA, NJ) |
22% |
21% |
|
S. Atlantic |
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
10% |
7% |
|
East South Central |
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
6% |
8% |
|
West South Central |
(OK, LA, AR, TX) |
9% |
7% |
|
East North Central |
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) |
9% |
15% |
|
W. N. Central |
(ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, NE, KS) |
10% |
3% |
|
Mountain |
(MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NM, NV) |
8% |
7% |
|
Pacific |
(AK, HI, CA, OR, WA) |
18% |
20% |
|
Which best describes your pricing system? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
I simply charge by the hour for my services. |
11% |
4% |
|
I base my pricing system on one or more factors
including breed, hair coat and styling request. |
75% |
86% |
|
I have one price grooming with some or no
limitations. |
3% |
3% |
|
Other |
11% |
7% |
|
Generally, how much do you "add-on" to your grooming fees to
compensate for your going to pet owner's homes
as a convenience? For example, if you would
charge $35 in a local salon, how much more would
you add-on? |
Mobile %
rounded |
|
Up to $10.00 |
1% |
|
$10.01 to $15.00 |
7% |
|
$15.01 to $20.00 |
28% |
|
$20.01 to $25.00 |
36% |
|
Over $25.00 |
28% |
|
Do you offer a price sheet that customers can
take with them? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
Yes |
3% |
12% |
|
No |
97% |
88% |
|
When is the next time you plan to raise prices? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
At least 2 years between price increases. |
23% |
30% |
|
At least 1 year between price increases. |
70% |
48% |
|
More than once a year. |
7% |
22% |
|
How much of your business is "bath only"
services versus "complete trim and bath"
services? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
25% or less of my business is bath only
services. |
63% |
38% |
|
26% to 50% of my business is bath only services. |
22% |
52% |
|
51% to 75% of my business is bath only services. |
11% |
7% |
|
76% to 100% of my business is bath only
services. |
4% |
3% |
|
Which operating expense encouraged you to raise
your prices last (more than any other)? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
Vehicle loan payment (mobile) or Rent
(commercial locations) |
12% |
21% |
|
Utilities (gasoline and maintenance for mobile
groomers) |
61% |
12% |
|
Labor costs for hired staff |
2% |
44% |
|
Grooming supplies |
19% |
14% |
|
Business insurance |
3% |
4% |
|
Other |
3% |
5% |
|
Which best characterizes the majority of your
regular clientele? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
Low income |
5% |
12% |
|
Middle class income |
53% |
58% |
|
Upper middle class and above income |
42% |
30% |
|
Did you ever own a non-mobile grooming business? |
Mobile %
rounded |
|
Yes |
13% |
|
No |
87% |
|
In general, how do your prices compare with the
local "competition?" |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
I am the low price leader. |
1% |
4% |
|
My prices are a little less than my local
competition. |
14% |
36% |
|
My prices are about the same as my local
competition. |
56% |
43% |
|
My prices are a little more expensive than my
local competition. |
24% |
8% |
|
I am the most expensive, or close to it. |
5% |
9% |
|
When is the next time you plan to raise prices? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
2008 |
22% |
36% |
|
2009 |
17% |
24% |
|
2010 or later |
61% |
40% |
|
Do you charge different prices for different
trim styles on the same dog? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
Yes |
64% |
45% |
|
Mostly no, a few exceptions |
22% |
31% |
|
No |
14% |
24% |
|
Do you advertise actual grooming prices in some
or all of your advertising? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
Yes |
2% |
4% |
|
No |
98% |
96% |
|
Do you ever discount your grooming prices with
promotional coupons of any kind? |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
Yes, often |
2% |
9% |
|
Yes, but not often |
28% |
62% |
|
No, I don’t discount services |
70% |
29% |
|
When you raise prices, what is the amount of
your average price increase?
(U.S. Dollars) |
Mobile %
rounded |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
Less than $2.00 |
5% |
7% |
|
$2.01 to $3.00 |
20% |
31% |
|
$3.01 to $4.00 |
19% |
47% |
|
$4.01 to $5.00 |
26% |
8% |
|
$5.01 to $6.00 |
22% |
6% |
|
More than $6.00 |
8% |
1% |
|
If you offer self-service bathing tubs IN
ADDITION to full-service pet grooming, how much
of your business is self-service? |
Non Mobile %
rounded |
|
25% or less of my business is self-service
services. |
16% |
|
26% to 50% of my business is self-service
services. |
50% |
|
51% to 75% of my business is self-service
services. |
24% |
|
76% to 100% of my business is self-service
services. |
10% |
In the next
section you will find the results for when we asked
specific prices for the following services. You are
also presented with the responses from the 2007
survey, and the difference between 2007 and 2008
results. Note that the purple section is for
Non-Mobile Groomers and the red section is for
Mobile Groomers. In this way you can compare fees
for the same services between mobile and non-mobile
groomers.
Remember these are
averages, and that means there were prices quoted
both above and below the averages shown here. For
grooming services the higher or lower amount could
be as much as $10 to $25 more, sometimes even higher
for large pets and specialty services such as show
grooming and hand stripping. You should expect that
your prices will vary from the ones shown here to
varying degrees.
Grooming Price
Results 2008 with Comparison to 2007 Results
|
A. Overall Average
Grooming Fee |
Non-Mobile Results |
Mobile Only Results |
|
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
|
New England
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
42.50 |
44.50 |
2.00 |
61.75 |
64.50 |
2.75 |
|
Middle Atlantic
(NY, PA, NJ) |
42.75 |
44.50 |
1.75 |
63.75 |
68.50 |
4.75 |
|
S. Atlantic
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
39.00 |
39.00 |
1.00 |
58.00 |
61.00 |
3.00 |
|
East South Central
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
36.25 |
36.25 |
.00 |
50.25 |
52.25 |
2.00 |
|
West South Central
(OK, LA, AR, TX) |
37.25 |
37.75 |
.50 |
52.75 |
51.75 |
-1.00 |
|
East North Central
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) |
39.50 |
40.50 |
1.00 |
52.75 |
56.75 |
4.00 |
|
W. N. Central
(ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, NE, KS) |
39.00 |
38.50 |
-.50 |
44.50 |
43.50 |
-1.00 |
|
Mountain
(MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NM, NV) |
38.75 |
39.50 |
.75 |
49.75 |
53.50 |
3.75 |
|
Pacific
(AK, HI, CA, OR, WA) |
41.75 |
44.75 |
3.00 |
65.00 |
69.25 |
4.25 |
|
US Average |
39.50 |
40.50 |
1.00 |
55.50 |
58.00 |
2.50 |
|
B. Bichon Frise
Complete Grooming,
(bath, style, ears, nails, not matted) |
Non-Mobile Results |
Mobile Only Results |
|
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
|
New England
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
43.25 |
45.25 |
.00 |
60.75 |
64.75 |
.00 |
|
Middle Atlantic
(NY, PA, NJ) |
43.75 |
46.50 |
2.75 |
65.75 |
68.75 |
.00 |
|
South Atlantic
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
38.50 |
40.75 |
.25 |
57.75 |
62.25 |
.50 |
|
East South Central
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
36.75 |
39.25 |
.50 |
51.25 |
54.00 |
.75 |
|
West South Central
(OK, LA, AR, TX) |
35.75 |
37.75 |
.00 |
50.50 |
52.00 |
.50 |
|
East North Central
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) |
39.00 |
40.25 |
.25 |
51.75 |
54.25 |
2.50 |
|
West North Central
(ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, NE, KS) |
35.75 |
36.25 |
.50 |
46.25 |
50.25 |
4.00 |
|
Mountain
(MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NM, NV) |
40.00 |
43.50 |
.50 |
54.75 |
58.75 |
.00 |
|
Pacific
(AK, HI, CA, OR, WA) |
42.50 |
47.00 |
.50 |
62.75 |
69.25 |
.50 |
|
US Average |
39.50 |
41.75 |
2.25 |
55.50 |
59.25 |
3.75 |
|
C.
Bichon Frise
Bath Only Grooming
(bath, ears, nails, not matted) |
Non-Mobile Results |
Mobile Only Results |
|
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
|
New England
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
31.00 |
32.50 |
.50 |
46.75 |
50.75 |
.00 |
|
Middle Atlantic
(NY, PA, NJ) |
32.00 |
34.00 |
2.00 |
45.75 |
51.25 |
.50 |
|
South Atlantic
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
29.00 |
30.00 |
.00 |
43.75 |
50.25 |
.50 |
|
East South Central
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
27.50 |
29.75 |
.25 |
39.25 |
48.00 |
.75 |
|
West South Central
(OK, LA, AR, TX) |
27.75 |
26.75 |
.00 |
39.50 |
44.50 |
5.00 |
|
East North Central
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) |
28.00 |
31.00 |
3.00 |
38.25 |
49.00 |
.75 |
|
West North Central
(ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, NE, KS) |
28.00 |
29.50 |
.50 |
38.50 |
44.25 |
.75 |
|
Mountain
(MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NM, NV) |
29.75 |
32.50 |
.75 |
44.00 |
46.50 |
2.50 |
|
Pacific
(AK, HI, CA, OR, WA) |
34.00 |
36.75 |
.75 |
51.00 |
57.00 |
.00 |
|
US Average |
29.75 |
31.50 |
.75 |
43.00 |
49.00 |
.00 |
|
D.
Miniature Poodle
Complete Grooming / No Pattern
(bath, style, ears, nails, not matted) |
Non-Mobile Results |
Mobile Only Results |
|
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
|
New England
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
42.00 |
45.00 |
.00 |
59.75 |
64.25 |
.50 |
|
Middle Atlantic
(NY, PA, NJ) |
42.75 |
45.75 |
3.00 |
60.50 |
69.25 |
.75 |
|
South Atlantic
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
38.00 |
42.50 |
.50 |
58.25 |
64.00 |
.75 |
|
East South Central
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
37.75 |
39.25 |
1.50 |
51.50 |
54.00 |
2.50 |
|
West South Central
(OK, LA, AR, TX) |
36.00 |
37.50 |
.50 |
46.25 |
51.50 |
.25 |
|
East North Central
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) |
37.00 |
39.50 |
2.50 |
45.25 |
54.25 |
.00 |
|
West North Central
(ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, NE, KS) |
34.25 |
37.50 |
.25 |
44.75 |
50.25 |
5.50 |
|
Mountain
(MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NM, NV) |
38.75 |
41.50 |
.75 |
51.25 |
56.00 |
.75 |
|
Pacific
(AK, HI, CA, OR, WA) |
42.00 |
45.00 |
.00 |
60.25 |
69.25 |
.00 |
|
US Average |
38.75 |
41.50 |
.75 |
53.00 |
59.25 |
6.25 |
|
E.
Miniature Poodle
Complete Grooming / Pattern
(bath, style, ears, nails, not matted) |
Non-Mobile Results |
Mobile Only Results |
|
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
|
New England
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
42.50 |
46.50 |
.00 |
55.50 |
67.25 |
.75 |
|
Middle Atlantic
(NY, PA, NJ) |
43.75 |
45.75 |
2.00 |
57.75 |
68.75 |
.00 |
|
South Atlantic
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
38.00 |
44.50 |
6.50 |
53.25 |
63.00 |
.75 |
|
East South Central
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
38.75 |
39.00 |
.25 |
50.00 |
54.00 |
4.00 |
|
West South Central
(OK, LA, AR, TX) |
36.00 |
38.50 |
.50 |
48.75 |
53.75 |
.00 |
|
East North Central
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) |
39.00 |
40.25 |
.25 |
48.25 |
55.25 |
.00 |
|
West North Central
(ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, NE, KS) |
34.25 |
38.50 |
.25 |
44.75 |
52.25 |
.50 |
|
Mountain
(MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NM, NV) |
38.75 |
42.25 |
.50 |
51.75 |
58.50 |
.75 |
|
Pacific
(AK, HI, CA, OR, WA) |
44.00 |
46.50 |
.50 |
62.25 |
70.00 |
.75 |
|
US Average |
39.50 |
42.50 |
.00 |
52.50 |
60.25 |
.75 |
|
F.
Miniature Poodle
Bath-Only Grooming
(bath, ears, nails, not matted) |
Non-Mobile Results |
Mobile Only Results |
|
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
|
New England
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
32.00 |
35.25 |
3.25 |
42.75 |
49.75 |
.00 |
|
Middle Atlantic
(NY, PA, NJ) |
34.00 |
36.25 |
2.25 |
46.00 |
52.00 |
.00 |
|
South Atlantic
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
29.50 |
31.50 |
.00 |
41.00 |
48.50 |
.50 |
|
East South Central
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
28.75 |
30.75 |
.00 |
41.25 |
47.50 |
.25 |
|
West South Central
(OK, LA, AR, TX) |
27.75 |
26.75 |
.00 |
39.75 |
44.50 |
.75 |
|
East North Central
(WI, IL, IN, OH, MI) |
28.25 |
30.75 |
.50 |
41.00 |
45.50 |
.50 |
|
West North Central
(ND, SD, MN, IA, MO, NE, KS) |
27.50 |
29.25 |
.75 |
38.25 |
44.25 |
6.00 |
|
Mountain
(MT, ID, WY, CO, UT, AZ, NM, NV) |
28.00 |
31.50 |
.50 |
42.00 |
49.50 |
.50 |
|
Pacific
(AK, HI, CA, OR, WA) |
35.25 |
38.00 |
.75 |
48.25 |
54.50 |
.25 |
|
US Average |
30.00 |
32.25 |
.25 |
42.25 |
48.50 |
6.25 |
|
G.
Standard Poodle
Complete Grooming – No Pattern
(bath, style, ears, nails, not matted) |
Non-Mobile Results |
Mobile Only Results |
|
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
2007 |
2008 |
Change
07 - 08 |
|
New England
(ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) |
85.25 |
90.00 |
4.75 |
90.00 |
100.25 |
.25 |
|
Middle Atlantic
(NY, PA, NJ) |
86.00 |
89.75 |
3.75 |
92.75 |
103.75 |
.00 |
|
South Atlantic
(WV, MD, DC, DE, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) |
66.25 |
69.75 |
.50 |
77.25 |
84.00 |
.75 |
|
East South Central
(KY, TN, MS, AL) |
67.00 |
70.00 |
.00 |
76.25 |
79.25 |
.00 |
|
| |
